Bill requires evaluation of minority suspension rates

March 21, 2014

By

BENJAMIN BRANCHAUD

Rep. Teresa Tanzi announced the introduction of a bill that would require schools to evaluate disciplinary data and correct disproportionate racial minority suspensions in front of a group of supporters on Tuesday night at the State House.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN - Following a report by the Rhode Island ACLU addressing a disparity in minority out-of-school suspensions, Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D - Dist. 34, Narragansett, South Kingstown) introduced a bill that would require the commissioner of education to develop a method to analyze disciplinary data and the impact on students based on race.

âItâs important for districts to start critically reviewing the practice of suspension,â Tanzi said in an interview Wednesday. âTake away all of the distinguishing characteristics of the individual and just look at their actions. The schools need to find a plan to look at this more critically.â

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